Help needed for Ute Pass Regional Trail–Comment and Call!
We need your help! Please comment on the plan by Aug 7, contact County Commissioners and let them know that they should vote for completing the Ute Pass Regional Trail, plan to attend the meeting mid-August.
Completing the 11-mile Ute Pass Regional Trail is a TOSC priority and a part of El Paso County Parks’ Master Plan. A small but very vocal opposition is trying to drown out the opinions of regional partners who want the completion of the east-west corridor between Manitou Springs and the Teller County border. After numerous public meetings, a “preferred route” for that gap has been chosen and is now available for you to read and comment.
The Colorado Springs City Council has voted to put a TABOR refund question on the November 2015 ballot that would mean 2 million dollars for critical trail projects.
This will not begin to address the long list of maintenance needs and capital projects outlined in the recent master plan ($180M). But if passed it will repair key transportation trails like the Greenway, Rock Island, Shooks Run, Sinton and Sand Creek trails.
Is trail work too much for you, but you’d like to help our parks? Come out for a weed-pulling day in Bear Creek Park! With all the rain we’ve been getting, the weed crop is high and ready to seed, so it’s important to get them now. Saturday, August 1, 8 am – noon Bear Creek Regional Find out more, and sign up info here.
Volunteers needed for the ADT Marathon, Half, and Relay.
Pikes Peak Road Runners and the Trails and Open Space Coalition need your help on Labor Day weekend, September 5, 6 and 7. The American Discovery Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, and Kids Runs requires close to 250 volunteers, and serves as a major annual fundraiser for TOSC.
Contact pprrun.org/volunteer for more information, or find out more on our blog.
Sign up now–Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb Aug 9
The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cycling Hill Climb is both a USA Cycling sanctioned road race, and a Gran Fondo Ride: a timed, non-competitive cycling event that gives cyclists of all abilities a truly unique experience on Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain. All cyclists may participate in the Gran Fondo, including those riding tandems, ellipticals, recumbents, handcycles and unicycles.
All cyclists must pre-register for this event. There is no day-of-event registration. Find out more here.
NEWS OF NOTE
Canvases in the Canon
Call for Art.
2- or 3-dimensional pieces with a focus on our region, especially the Cañon. Free entry; 15% sales donation to the park. Event 8/22.
All hike dates are on Saturdays, and in the morning, unless otherwise noted. Remember, these adventures and events are for TOSC Members only. Become a member athttp://trailsandopenspaces.org
August 15–Mt Kineo Hike Pike National Forest
Enjoy breathtaking views of Bear Creek Canyon and Cheyenne Cañon. The approach to the mountain is on the Seven Bridges Trail and through Jones Park. The path to the summit is little-known, and so seldom hiked. This is a pretty strenuous hike, and will take most of the day. If you’re up to the challenge, join us! More info and signups here. Signups coming soon:
September 26-Fountain Creek Regional Park “Creek Week” hike and cleanup eventWe’ll hike the Fountain Creek Regional Trail and visit the Nature Center (recently renovated and expanded).After our short hike, we’ll join in the waterway cleanup with the Fountain Creek Watershed team.
PARTY-Save the Date-Annual Members Celebration October 22 (Thursday) 6-8 p.m.We are looking forward to treating you to a fun evening out, to sharing our vision for 2016 and thanking you for your support. Let’s celebrate together! This is a free Members’ event.
